by George Brosi

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, the professional organization for teachers of English and other languages. Unfortunately there is not one world-wide standard format for scholarly papers in all academic fields, but at least there is one for work in languages. Sociology, psychology and education all use the American Psychological Association (APA) style, but fields such as history use more than one style.

MLA papers are done on one side only of sheets of 8 1/2" X 11" white paper. Margins are set at 1" all the way around. Most computers are already set for 1" margins. Only the left margin is justified. If you are working in "Word Perfect," before you type your first word, do shift F8 for format, then choose 1 for line format, then 3 for justification, then 1 for left only.

All MLA papers are simply double-spaced throughout. Before beginning an MLA paper make sure your machine is set to double space. In Word Perfect, go into format (shift F8), then hit 1, then 6; then you will usually see the cursor on the number 1 for single space. Simply hit delete to erase the 1 and then hit 2 to replace it so the machine will double space all lines.

MLA papers begin with what is called a "running head." First go flush right (Alt., F6 in word perfect) and type in your last name or last name and first initial if another member of your class has the same last name, then a space, and then the number 1 to signify the first page. MLA papers of more than one page are stapled--before class begins--in the upper left hand corner, and all pages begin with the running head consisting of the student's last name followed by the consecutive page numbers.

After the running head, the first page, and only the first page, has the heading. It is flush left, so you may simply hit enter once after you complete the running head and the machine will be set. Put your full name on the first line of the heading then hit enter and put your teacher's name on the next line then hit enter and put the course number, a comma, and the section number, then hit enter and put the date, preferably European style with the day of the month first followed by the month and the year without a comma.

After the heading comes the title of your paper. All papers should have titles. Center your title. In word perfect centering is shift F6. After your title you may begin your essay, indenting five spaces, as most "Tab" keys are already set, for the beginning of each paragraph. Simply double space throughout, between lines, paragraphs, text, title, heading and running head.

Johnson 1

Jimmy Johnson George Brosi English 101, Section 10089 13 January 1994

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